The application form is in Studyinfo. The form is open only during the application period. Please check the individual programme pages for the application periods for your programme. Please note that you will need to fill in a separate application form for each programme.
Some questions are compulsory only for some programmes. Some questions will only appear once you have selected the doctoral programme for which you are applying from the drop-down menu.
The application form cannot be saved as a draft. It's recommended that you prepare your application in a separate file and copy the answers to the application form all at once. Once you have saved your application, you can edit it until the application deadline.
The text fields in the application form are character-limited. Spaces are also included in the limitation.
Start by providing your personal details and choosing the programme you are applying to. Also choose a faculty and a target degree that match your educational background and planned research.
Tell us about the degree that qualifies you for doctoral studies (e.g., master's degree, licentiate of medicine). If your degree included a thesis, you must write a brief summary of it (max 1500 characters).
You can also include details about one additional relevant degree or studies (e.g., bachelor's degree, second master's degree, specialized training) that you think might be beneficial for your application. This is not compulsory information, and many apply with just the qualifying degree.
University of Helsinki demands an indication of academic level language skills in either Finnish, Swedish or English of all applicants. the language does not need to be the language of your doctoral thesis.
Please see more information on the page for proving your language skills.
You can prove your language skills either with your educational background or a language test. First choose the language you want to prove your proficiency in, and then choose the method of proving your language skills from the drop-down menu.
In addition, you must choose the language of your thesis.
You will write your reasearch plan in the application form's answer fields. Free form reasearch plans are not accepted. Note that the answer fields have character limits. Spaces count as characters.
*Doctoral Programme in School, Education, Society and Culture:
Check the selection criteria for your programme for required supervision arrangements:
If you have three supervisors you must give reasons for the need for three supervisors (2000 characters).
Here you can describe your skills and experience in a CV-like format.
Write your study plan in the next fields. Please see the university's Studies service for information on the doctoral degree's scope and structure.
List the courses that you are interested in:
If you have already completed some doctoral studies you can indicate the amount of ECTS gained so far.
The files attached to this section will be used to support the academic evaluation. They must be attached even if we can check your academic record and qualifications electronically from various registers. In most cases, in addition to the files attached to the application form, you will need to provide us with officially certified copies of your educational documents.
Please read the guidelines on eligibility and educational documents carefully. Failure to follow these instructions will result in your application being rejected.
Attach all requested enclosures that are necessary for your application in PDF format. Do not merge separate documents into one file. Please note that if your documents are in a language other than Finnish, Swedish or English, you must also attach and submit official translations.
The files you attach here will be used as part of the evaluation of your application.
In addition to these files, you will usually need to submit officially certified copies of the documents you attach here. Please read and follow our instructions for documents carefully.
The "degree that gives you eligibility" is the degree that you first entered in the "educational background" section of the application form.
The "other degree" is the second degree for which you entered the details in the "educational background" section of the application form.
Attach here as one pdf file the degree certificate of your Master's degree (or equivalent). Name the file "Last name First name Degree Document type", for example Doe Jane Master degree certificate.
If the original diploma is not in Finnish, Swedish or English, please also attach an official translation of the diploma.
Attach here as one pdf file the transcript of records of your Master's degree (or equivalent). Name the file "Last name First name Degree Document type", for example Doe Jane Master transcript.
If the original diploma is not in Finnish, Swedish or English, please also attach an official translation of the diploma.
Attach here as one pdf file the degree certificate. Name the file "Last name First name Degree Document type", for example Doe Jane Bachelor degree certificate.
If the original diploma is not in Finnish, Swedish or English, please also attach an official translation of the diploma.
If you have not filled in "other degree" in the educational background section of the form, do not attach any file here.
Attach here as one pdf file the transcript of records of your degree. Name the file "Last name First name Degree Document type", for example Doe Jane Bachelor transcript.
If the original diploma is not in Finnish, Swedish or English, please also attach an official translation of the diploma.
If you have not filled in "other degree" in the educational background section of the form, do not attach any file here.
If you prove your language skills with a higher education degree, the documents for which you have attached in the above sections, you do not need to attach a separate documents on language skills.
Otherwise, please attach a PDF file of the document proving your language proficiency that meets University of Helsinki requirements. Please name the file 'Surname First name Language skills', for example Doe Jane Language skills.
Please note that you can only prove your language skills with ways accepted by the University of Helsinki, that are listed on our language skills verification instructions page.
If the original certificate is not in Finnish, Swedish or English, please also attach an official translation of the certificate.
Please check whether your programme requires a separate supervisors' approval form / supervision contract / email from suprevisor or other document showing the supervisor's commitment to be attached to the application.
Please complete the required document according to the instructions of the doctoral programme and attach a scanned copy of it to the application form as a single pdf file. A possible form for supporting statements or supervision agreement can be found in the doctoral programme's own admission instructions.
Please name the file "Last name First name Document type", for example Doe Jane Supporting statement.
You do not need to send us a paper copy of the form, just attach it to the application form.
Finally you must indicate your contact language, give consent to electronic communication and affirm that all given information is correct.
The application cannot be saved as a draft. To avoid losing unsaved data it is advisable to prepare your answers in a separate file so you can easily copy your answers to the application form.
The saved application can be edited until the end of the application round.
You will receive an email after you have successfully saved the application. Remember to submit your possible paper enclosures and keep an eye on your email for possible requests to supplement your application.